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We explore motivations for adopting Business Process Management (BPM) by analyzing 290 customer use cases published on-line by BPM systems vendors. We construct a classification framework of BPM motivations for the new challenges confronting BPM in the time of digital transformation, with highlights of the new role of BPM in this context. The proposed framework serves as a guide for future research on BPM motivation patterns, particularly in the context of digital transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Visible light communication (VLC) is becoming more relevant due to the accelerated advancement of optical fibers. Polymer optical fiber (POF) technology appears to be a solution to the growing demand for improved transmission efficiency and high-speed data rates in the visible light range. However, the VLC system requires efficient splitters with low power losses to expand the optical energy capability and boost system performance. To solve this issue, we propose an effective 1 × 8 optical splitter based on multicore polycarbonate (PC) POF technology suitable for functioning in the green-light spectrum at a 530 nm wavelength. The new design is based on replacing 23 air-hole layers with PC layers over the fiber length, while each PC layer length is suitable for the light coupling of the operating wavelength, which allows us to set the right size of each PC layer between the closer PC cores. To achieve the best result, the key geometrical parameters were optimized through RSoft Photonics CAD suite software that utilized the beam propagation method (BPM) and analysis using MATLAB script codes for finding the tolerance ranges that can support device fabrication. The results show that after a light propagation of 2 mm, an equally green light at a 530 nm wavelength is divided into eight channels with very low power losses of 0.18 dB. Additionally, the splitter demonstrates a large bandwidth of 25 nm and stability with a tolerance range of ±8 nm around the operated wavelength, ensuring robust performance even under laser drift conditions. Furthermore, the splitter can function with 80% and above of the input signal power around the operated wavelength, indicating high efficiency. Therefore, the proposed device has a great potential to boost sensing detection applications, such as Raman spectroscopic and bioengineering applications, using the green light. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Physical models of dolomitic marbles from greek quarries with a pair of twin pre-existing cylindrical holes subjected to uniaxial compression are studied in the laboratory and then, they are simulated numerically with a Bonded Particles Model by employing the two-dimensional version of the Particle Flow Code and the Flat-Joint model. The micro-cracking, the fracturing process and the sequence of their appearance during the numerical tests of the hollow plates are in good agreement with the laboratory tested physical models. Each numerical fracture pattern is similar to the one of the respective physical models. Also, the regions of micro-cracking in the numerical models are similar to the regions of intense deformation observed from Digital Image Correlation analysis on the respective physical models. A comparison between the required applied axial stress for the primary fracture and sidewall spalling initiation of the physical and the numerical models is presented. Then, these stress values are compared to the ones of previously published hollow plates with a single cylindrical opening of the same diameter in compression of the same materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increasing globalisation, organisations are confronted with intensifying market competition. Consequently, organisations continually implement novel technologies to address the challenges posed by market competition. In business process management (BPM), robotic process automation (RPA) is regarded as a tool or methodology that can automate specific tasks or activities within a business process. RPA is widely employed as a standard solution in various industries to assist enterprises in automating their processes, enhancing their operational efficiency, and reducing operational costs. Nevertheless, it is prudent to consider which processes can be automated by applying RPA and the most appropriate deployment methods for RPA. A literature review reveals that process identification is the optimal method for identifying processes suitable for automation, and three approaches - process mining, process quality-based and interview-based can be considered. There are three principal models for deploying RPA: local, cloud and hybrid. The RPA managers in an organisation are thus able to select the most appropriate deployment option based on the organisation's policies, requirements, and cost considerations. Furthermore, this study identifies the critical success factors (CSFs) and analyses their relationships using a 'why-why' diagram. This study could assist organisations in a more comprehensive understanding of RPA technology, which enables more effective utilisation of RPA for enhanced process management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent evidence suggested the existence of a spatial associations for music tempo with faster left-hand responses to relatively slow tempos and faster right-hand responses to relatively fast tempos. We refer to a study that systematically explored these spatial associations across different tempo ranges, revealed a clear effect only in the fast tempo range (DOI 10.3758/s13414-019-01945-8). The present study further investigated whether a spatial association exists across different tempo ranges (i.e., “full”, “slow” or “fast” tempo range). In particular, the present study was conducted aiming (1) to test the spatial associations for tempo in the full tempo range (Experiment 1) and (2) to further investigate the occurrence of this spatial associations in the slow and fast tempo ranges (Experiment 2). Experiment 1 revealed a spatial association for tempo occurs in the full tempo range (40–200 bpm). Experiment 2 confirmed this association in the fast tempo range (133–201 bpm) but showed contradictory results in the slow tempo range (40–104 bpm). This suggests that a spatial association is plausible in the slow tempo range, although further research is needed to clarify this phenomenon.

The healthcare industry has blossomed into one of the most pivotal and technologically advanced sectors in the past decade. Individuals grapple with the peril of untimely demise from diverse ailments as patients suffer from delayed treatment. The paramount objective is to forge a dependable patient care system utilizing the Internet of Things (IoT), enabling physicians to monitor patients' well-being within medical facilities or even the confines of their homes. The system aids in tracking the patient's SpO2 level, body temperature, pulse rate (beats per minute), room temperature, and humidity, then trains the data with machine learning algorithms for the patient and finally monitors it through the Blynk IoT system. The cloud-stored data can be harnessed to ascertain and supervise one's health and predict forthcoming perils. This study unveils an efficacious decision-making model custom-tailored for Internet of Things (IoT) ventures, and the proposed trained algorithm satiates these requirements, offering efficiency and precision, rendering it appropriate for numerous IoT applications. Finally, the Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) is used here for finding out the most influential parameters, and Explainable AI (XAI) is utilized with the help of SHAP values for enhanced information on affecting parameters. The SVC model's hyperparameter is properly adjusted, yielding a testing accuracy of 98.83 % and a training accuracy of 98.71 %. On cross-validation, the lightweight Sklearn model achieved a mean accuracy of almost 99 %. And with a SHAP weightage magnitude of 1.38, 0.91, and 0.44 for Class ‘Good’, Class ‘Poor’, and Class ‘Bad’, respectively, patients SpO2 level is the most significant feature.

Integrating the Internet of Things (IoT) into business process management (BPM) aims to increase the automation level, efficiency, transparency, and comprehensibility of the business processes taking place in the physical world. The IoT enables the seamless networking of physical devices, allowing for the enrichment of processes with real-time data about the physical world and, thus, for optimized process automation and monitoring. To realize these benefits, the modeling of IoT-aware processes needs to be appropriately supported. Despite the great attention paid to this topic, more clarity is needed about the current state of the art of corresponding modeling solutions. Capturing IoT characteristics in business process models visually or based on labels is essential to ensure effective design and communication of IoT-aware business processes. A clear discernibility of IoT characteristics can enable the precise modeling and analysis of IoT-aware processes and facilitate collaboration among different stakeholders. With an increasing number of process model elements, it becomes crucial that process model readers can understand the IoT aspects of business processes in order to make informed decisions and to optimize the processes with respect to IoT integration. This paper presents the results of a large user study (N = 249) that explored the perception of IoT aspects in BPMN 2.0 process models to gain insights into the IoT's involvement in business processes that drive the successful implementation and communication of IoT-aware processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Progressive digitization and dynamic development of ICT technologies generate new opportunities for industry, logistics, society and education. Education in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), also called ‘the education of the future’, has become of great importance, because we are experiencing a shortage of STEM workers in various sectors. The effectiveness of STEM e-learning as a teaching method should be a key principle in management of this process. The main goal of the paper is to present a process approach to e-learning of automated transportation used in production logistics. The framework allows one to identify and optimise processes, and it may contribute to efficient management of distance learning. Moreover, it could improve the process of software development and software design skills. Desk research analyses were carried out to describe the state of art in the field of STEM education and potential of process management for remote teaching. In the empirical part of the paper, the modelling was based on the main assumptions of process management and BPMN (Business Process Modelling Notation), and dedicated process mapping software was used. The article examines the potential of the process approach and confirms that it can contribute to increasing the effectiveness of distance learning in the field of STEM. As a result of modelling, the optimization concepts regarding designing the e-learning course and the possibility of expanding the existing model towards acquiring more skills, for instance in programming PLC controllers were indicated. The developed model is a starting point for improving teaching of STEM for production, logistics, engineering and other domains.

Business Process Management (BPM) is an approach that aims to improve organizational performance and flexibility through managing business processes. Digital Innovation (DI) and Digital Transformation (DT) are phenomena that relate to the use of digital technology to create new value for organizations and customers. This article explores the role of BPM in supporting DI and DT in organizations and how to implement BPM in an organization with a Systematic Literature Review (SLR). The search results, inclusion and exclusion criteria, and relevance assessment yielded 34 relevant articles. We found that BPM, DI, and DT interact with each other in various ways and have some theoretical and practical implications for researchers and practitioners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) to investigate the relationship of cost with Business Process Management (BPM). Cost is part of finance, so cost is often addressed in a broader sense related to finance. Previous studies show contradictory views on cost and BPM. Several studies state that finance did not have a direct relationship with business processes and other studies state the lack of theory relating cost to BPM. However, other studies saw a positive relationship and consider cost aspects to perform efficiency and optimization by using BPM. Further and in-depth research needs to investigate, the relationship between cost aspects and BPM particularly related to Information Technology applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energetic and environmental crisis currently being experienced around the world has brought an exponential growth on the demand for wind energy, and, consequently, real challenges for companies in this sector. Since this industry is relatively new, its production processes require a significant amount of human intervention and have a high variability in the process and high lead times. Therefore, there is a need to focus on the quality of the processes and their improvement. This paper presents the use of the Six Sigma DMAIC approach integrated with Business Process Management, to reduce the number of defects and the repair time in a leading wind blade manufacturing company in Portugal. During the measurement and analysis phases, data was collected to understand the performance of the process and to identify the main problems and their causes. The data was analysed through several graphical and statistical techniques. In the analysis phase, process modeling was also utilized, using Business Process Model and Notation, to identify the critical steps that are responsible for producing the majority of defects. One month after beginning to use this approach, it was possible to notice a reduction in the number of defects by more than 30%, in the repair time by 14%, and an increase in the process sigma level by more than 100%. Thus, this hybrid approach has allowed the company to become more competitive and responsive to the constant growth in demand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current food industry uses Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and the Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system as tools to help provide and maintain safety and quality parameters within treatment facilities. A basic diagnosis was carried out in a farm in the banana sector, in relation to the GMP according to resolution 2674 of 2013, and the HACCP system to determine hazards, CCPs, CL and preventive measures in the harvest of the banana (Musa paradisiaca). A typical case of banana production was studied where each stage of the section was submitted and the principles of HACCP were applied. As main results, the weaknesses and virtues that the farm presented were determined in the GMP based on resolution 2674 of 2013 and in the HACCP plan the dangers, risks, limits and critical control points and corrective measures were analyzed for all the stages. It was concluded that, although the farm does not have the GMP implementation plans and the HACCP system; It supplied and managed the parameters established by the programs in such a way that the product met high standards of safety and quality, with great added value, export type. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diversos setores da economia, sejam públicos ou privados, têm obtido sucesso na aplicação de métodos integrados para a melhoria de seus processos, a partir da gestão de processos de negócio associada às novas tecnologias da Indústria 4.0 (I4.0). Tal fato tem despertado interesse de profissionais e pesquisadores, que buscam, na literatura científica, abordagens sob diferentes aspectos relacionadas a esses temas. Assim, o objetivo deste artigo é apresentar uma revisão sistemática da literatura que responda à seguinte questão de pesquisa: “Quais práticas de BPM são aplicadas no contexto das tecnologias da Indústria 4.0 no segmento industrial?”. As análises efetuadas em 26 estudos apresentaram as tendências atuais de pesquisas relacionadas ao tema abordado, assim como os principais periódicos que publicam essas pesquisas. Os resultados apontaram uma relação das práticas de BPM ao tipo de tecnologia da Indústria 4.0, assim como o segmento industrial de aplicação. A partir dos resultados obtidos, foi possível identificar uma forte tendência de pesquisa associada à Análise e Modelagem de Processo a partir da utilização da Internet das Coisas (IoT).

Visible light communication (VLC) is becoming more relevant due to the accelerated advancement of optical fibers. Polymer optical fiber (POF) technology appears to be a solution to the growing demand for improved transmission efficiency and high-speed data rates in the visible light range. However, the VLC system requires efficient splitters with low power losses to expand the optical energy capability and boost system performance. To solve this issue, we propose an effective 1 × 8 optical splitter based on multicore polycarbonate (PC) POF technology suitable for functioning in the green-light spectrum at a 530 nm wavelength. The new design is based on replacing 23 air-hole layers with PC layers over the fiber length, while each PC layer length is suitable for the light coupling of the operating wavelength, which allows us to set the right size of each PC layer between the closer PC cores. To achieve the best result, the key geometrical parameters were optimized through RSoft Photonics CAD suite software that utilized the beam propagation method (BPM) and analysis using MATLAB script codes for finding the tolerance ranges that can support device fabrication. The results show that after a light propagation of 2 mm, an equally green light at a 530 nm wavelength is divided into eight channels with very low power losses of 0.18 dB. Additionally, the splitter demonstrates a large bandwidth of 25 nm and stability with a tolerance range of ±8 nm around the operated wavelength, ensuring robust performance even under laser drift conditions. Furthermore, the splitter can function with 80% and above of the input signal power around the operated wavelength, indicating high efficiency. Therefore, the proposed device has a great potential to boost sensing detection applications, such as Raman spectroscopic and bioengineering applications, using the green light.